Juventus have confirmed the signing of Atalanta defender Mattia Caldara in a €15 million move.
The 22-year-old defender has impressed many with his strong displays for high-flying Atalanta this season and Beppe Marotta confirmed that Juve were looking to sign the player some weeks ago.
The club officially confirmed the completion of the deal this afternoon, although the player will remain on loan at La Dea until 2018.
A press release on the clubs official website detailed the specifics of the deal:
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that the agreement with Atalanta B.C. S.p.A. for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of the player Mattia Caldara has been finalized. The consideration for the acquisition is €15 million payable in four financial years.
The purchase value may increase of €6 million on achieving given conditions in the course of the duration of the contract.
Juventus and the player have signed a 5-year contract of employment until 30 June 2021.
At the same time, Juventus has reached an agreement with Atalanta for the free loanuntil 30 June 2018 of the registration rights of the same player and a performance bonus of maximum €4 million will be paid to Atalanta on achieving given sports performances.
Speaking to JTV in his first interview as a Juventus player, Caldara spoke of his desire to improve at Atalanta before finally joining the club in 2018.
“Obviously this is a massive day for me,” he told the clubs official TV channel.
“My objective has always been to sign for a big club. I know that Juventus believe in me and made a real investment to sign me, so that is very flattering and makes me really proud.
“It is a very important day for me. I need to focus on doing well in Bergamo still so I can be ready when the time comes to join Juve, a club with big ambitions.
“I need to concentrate on Atalanta and think about improving with every game, because I still have a long way to go and it’s early into my career.
“I have to put in the utmost effort for every training session to make sure I am ready for Juve.”
Caldara was asked to describe himself in one word.
“I’ll say shy, because ever since childhood I’ve been rather shy and everyone tells me I need to be cockier both on the pitch and off it, to believe in myself more.
“On the other hand, I think it’s a quality that has served me well, so I might just stay shy.”
2018! Don’t they think he should learn from the best? Surely he can be better served training and playing occasionally with the main squad as our defenders are mostly 32+. At least bring him onboard start of 2018 season.
it was probably just to make the deal sweeter and more plausible for Atlanta, Also i think your plan would work but only if we didnt have Benatia, With him and the BBC and Rugani they are to many defenders to constantly rotate in games
i guess this is better for his development, better to play week in week out than warming our bench but training with best, regular playing time will make him better than training, he knows the club , just signed for the top club so he can play with clear head
Interesting deal, for Atalanta receive two year loan for free and up to EU4m for ‘performance bonuses’. Which I must assume includes :
% games played (as a priority)
Qualification for Europe
Top half finish in Serie A
Progression to La Nazionale
We can now but hope that he continues to develop and avoids any horrid injuries. Great signing by the club. I would happily see Benatia sent away and have Mattia enter the fray, but best to leave him where he is playing regularly, at a side who are proving a revelation this campaign.
It is a weird deal. Paying for the player, then giving him as a ‘pay to play him’ loan back to the club we are getting him from to ensure he develops. Not heard of that before!
caldara, rugani, lirola, romagna , hmm future defense looks bright
Welcome to sporting heaven Mattia 🙂
it is reported that zaza agreed to join valencia for a fee between 16-18 m €
4 installmets of $4 mill each…. this is pocket change it doesn’t affect our budget at all. Brillliant piece of business Beppe!!! Now on to kolasinac!!
schalke dont want to let him go, so we gotta wait until summer
That’s fine, he’s free in the summer lol.